Comics Alternative Interviews: Back with Box Brown

The Comics Alternative is weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.

Box Brown returns to The Comics Alternative, this
time discussing his new book Is This Guy
for Real?: The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman,
just out this week from First Second. Similar to his
previous Andre the Giant, this
is a graphic biography of a colorful celebrity with a complicated
life story...and involving wrestling. Box talks with Derek about
his ideas for beginning this project, his appreciation of stand-up
comedy, the challenges he faced in constructing Kaufman's story,
and how his emphases are notably different from those of Miloš
Forman's 1999 biopic Man on the Moon. And
since both Box and Derek are big Andy Kaufman fans, there's a lot
of nerding out and reminiscing over the comedian's many TV
appearances, many of which can be found on YouTube. So put on your
wrestling tights, slip into that sequin high-collar Elvis jacket,
and get ready to engage with this friendly, friendly world.

About the Podcast

Two guys with PhDs talking about comics! The Comics Alternative is weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.